Folding lunch-box



i UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICEC J. A. MINOR, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT.

FOLDING LUNCH-BOX.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 51,957, dated January 9, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. A. MINOR, of Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Foldin gLunoh-Boxes 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the line w x, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a horizontal longitudinal section through the line g/ y, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical .longitudinal section of my improved lunch-box folded, and showing an inclosed tray and spoon.

The object of my invention is to furnish a lunch-box which may be readily and coinpaetly folded, and it consists of a box in which the top, bottom, and the two ends are all hinged to one of the sides, the other side being inade in two parts hinged together and to the ends, n the manner hereinafter more fully described.

A is the handle by which the box is carried B is the cover ofthe box, which is hinged to the upper edge of one side, D, of the box, and shuts down over the upper edges of the ends and other side in the manner of an ordinary box-cover, as represented at- C, Fig. 1.

The bottom E of the box is made and hinged to the lower edge of the same side, D,to which the top or cover B is hinged, and also shuts up over the lower edges of the ends and side in the ordinaryT manner of a box-cover. To the ends of the side D are hinged the ends F and G of the box. .'Ihus to the same side D of the box are hinged the top or cover B, the bottom E, andthe ends F and G. The end piece, G, is of the same size as the end of the box, the hinges by which it is hinged to the side D and to the side H I being located in the corners of the box; but the end piece, F, islonger than the end of the box, the material of which it is made being bent at right angles, and the hinge being made at a little distance from the corner, as represented at J, Figs. 2 and 3, for convenience in folding. The side HI is made in two pieces hinged together. The point N, at which the hinge is located, should be at such a distance from the end G that the united length of the end G and piece I shall be a little less than the length of the side D, so that when the end Cr and the piece I are folded back along the side D the piece H and end F can be folded back, as represented in Fig. 3, without difliculty.

K is a tray which fits into the bottom E ot' the box when closed, and when the box is open the tray can rest upon the upper edges ofthe sides and ends of the box, as represented in Fig. 1, the cover B shutting down over it.

L is a spoon, showing that space has been arranged for inclosing a spoon or knife and fork in the box when closed.

The sides and ends of the box, when unfolded, are kept in proper position with respect to each other and with respect to the bottom and top by means ot' sliding fasteners or catches, one of which is shown at M, Fig. 2, or their equivalent.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination ot' the side D of a folding lunch-box with the cover B and bottom E by hinging the said cover and bottom to the upper and lower edges ot' said side, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the ends F and Cr ot' a folding lunch-box with the side D by llinging the said ends to the end edges otl said side, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination ofthe 'side H l, made in two pieces hinged together, with the ends F and Gr by hinging` the said side to the said ends, substantially as described, and for the purpose setforth.

J. A. MlNOR.

Witnesses:

CEAS. G. RVINAL, H. F. BOARDMAN. 

